noun
intelligence
ihn-TEHL-ih-juhns
noun
1
The ability to learn, understand, and apply knowledge effectively.
"Her intelligence was obvious from the way she solved the problem."
"Artificial intelligence is changing how businesses operate."
2
Secret information gathered about an enemy, rival, or hostile situation, or the agency that collects it.
"The agency gathered intelligence on the smuggling operation."
How to Use Intelligence
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither mental sharpness/learning ability, or secret information collected about a threat.
Common pairings
artificial intelligence
military intelligence
high intelligence
Word Forms
intelligences plural
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Etymology
From Latin intelligentia, from intellegere, "to understand," built from inter- ("between") + legere ("to choose, gather").